A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Soil Slurry Test for pH & EC Analysis at Home скачать в хорошем качестве

A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Soil Slurry Test for pH & EC Analysis at Home

#soilslurry #soiltest #testsoilph Conducting a soil slurry test provides valuable information about the pH level of your soil, helping you make informed decisions about soil management and nutrient supplementation for healthy plant growth. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can perform a soil slurry test with ease and gain insights that will contribute to your gardening or agricultural success. Remember to repeat the test periodically to monitor changes in pH over time and maintain optimal soil conditions for your plants. Knowing your soil plays a major role in what nutrients you need to add, so understanding it will help you get off to a great start. This is one of the most common mistakes people fail to think about as the root of all problems. In this video, we show you how to test your soil's ph and ppm without any kit and at home using a soil slurry test. Although I recommend Fox Farm's Happy frog, it is often really low in pH and out of the grow zone. This is why I recommend to do this test and amend the soil to grow friendly levels before starting. If the pH is out of the grow zone range, you may experience lockout which in turn will make you think you have nutrient issues that you try to improperly fix. This soil test can be performed without any kit using a simple pH meter: 3-in-1 TDS pH EC Meter(all time favorite): https://amzn.to/3O5yPjR Apera Instruments AI311: https://amzn.to/3Hc1LnY Cheapest Fish Net Strain: https://amzn.to/3NMUrSq This method has proven to be more accurate than the at home soil testing kits and based on a experiment with 7 different soils, the average discrepancy 5.4% when compared to lab results from the University of Delaware. The Rapitest pH had a discrepancy of 5.9% so why bother with these tests. Now the ideal pH of your soil should be from 5.8-7.0 (perfect is 6.5) The rules to fix are simple after you get your reading. Here is what I do when I have abnormal ph's. For low ph's under 5.5, I just ph balance my feed water to 7.0 and water to slight runoff and test the ph. If the ph of the runoff is within the grow range of 5.8-6.5, I just feed using a normal ph on the next feeding. If it is still low, then on the next feeding, I repeat this process. For pH's above 7.5, I just ph balance my feed water to 5.8 and water to slight runoff and test the ph. If the ph of the runoff is within the grow range of 5.8-6.5, I just feed using a normal ph on the next feeding. If it is still high, then on the next feeding, I repeat this process. Materials Required: Soil sample Distilled water Measuring cup or container pH testing kit or pH meter Stirring rod or spoon Safety gloves (optional) Step-by-Step Procedure: Collecting the Soil Sample: Begin by selecting the area from which you want to test the soil. Ideally, you should choose several representative spots within the same region. Use a shovel or trowel to collect a composite soil sample from these spots. Make sure to remove any debris such as leaves or rocks and discard them. Preparing the Soil Slurry: Take a clean container or measuring cup and add approximately 1 cup (236 ml) of distilled water to it. Distilled water is preferred because it does not contain any additional minerals or contaminants that may affect the pH reading. Next, add an equal volume of soil sample to the water, ensuring a 1:1 ratio of soil to water. Mix the soil and water thoroughly using a stirring rod or spoon until the mixture becomes a slurry. Letting the Soil Slurry Settle: Allow the soil slurry to settle for around 30 minutes. During this time, the water will separate from the soil particles, and the pH of the water portion will be a representative measure of the soil's pH. Testing the pH: After the slurry has settled, carefully insert the pH testing kit's indicator strip or pH meter into the water portion of the slurry. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to obtain an accurate reading. If you are using indicator strips, match the color on the strip with the corresponding pH value provided in the kit. If you are using a pH meter, make sure it is calibrated correctly before taking the reading. Interpreting the Results: Once you have obtained the pH reading, compare it with the appropriate pH range for your specific plants or crops. Generally, a pH between 6 and 7 is considered neutral and ideal for most plants. Values below 6 indicate acidic soil, while values above 7 indicate alkaline soil. Adjustments to the soil pH may be necessary depending on the intended use. Cleaning Up: Dispose of the soil slurry and wash the container and stirring rod or spoon thoroughly to remove any residual soil particles. This ensures accurate readings for future tests.